Study on Dependency Levels in the Oncological Patient with Respiratory Symptomatology

Abstract

The incidence of cancer in Spain is increasing (annually 247,771 new cases diagnosed). Survival of oncological patients at 5 years of 53%. Main problem, the quality of that survival. Important conditioning factor, the levels of dependence of oncological patients in active treatment. The main objective was to evaluate the level of dependence of oncological patients with dyspnea. Methodology: Cross-sectional prospective observational study with non-probabilistic sampling of accidental allocation. The sample was recruited from the Medical Oncology Service of the University Hospital of Salamanca (CAUSA). We proceeded to refer patients to the occupational therapy program with the consequent inclusion of these in the study. After obtaining the informed consent signed by the subjects, the evaluation was proceeded. The Lawton-Brody scale (AIVD), and the Barthel index (ABVD). In addition, a record sheet for sociodemographic and clinical (age, gender and anatomopathological diagnosis) was designed. Results: Study includes the sample size of 180 participants.. Average age of 68.48 (± 10,513) years, of which 52.8% men, by 47.2% women (85 women and 95 men). Of which 22.8% had breast diagnosis, 31.7% pulmonary and 45.6% related to the digestive system. Regarding dependence levels, Lawton-Brody scale, mean score of 4.31 (± 1.832) points (moderate dependency levels); Barthel index, mean score of 42.53 (± 2,789) points (moderate dependency level). Poor scores in lung anatomopathological diagnosis. Strong and statistically significant correlation between ABVD and AIVD (r = 0.803, for p <0.05), and significant correlation (r = -0.403, for p <0.001) between age and the performance of IADL. Conclusion: Oncological patients with respiratory symptoms present moderate levels of dependence.